Age, Biography and Wiki

Wee Kim Wee was born on 4 November, 1915 in Singapore, Straits Settlements, is a 4th President of Singapore. Discover Wee Kim Wee's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 89 years old?

Popular As Wee Kim Wee
Occupation Journalist · diplomat
Age 89 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born 4 November 1915
Birthday 4 November
Birthplace Singapore, Straits Settlements
Date of death 2 May, 2005
Died Place Singapore
Nationality Singapore

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 4 November. He is a member of famous Former with the age 89 years old group.

Wee Kim Wee Height, Weight & Measurements

At 89 years old, Wee Kim Wee height not available right now. We will update Wee Kim Wee's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Wee Kim Wee's Wife?

His wife is Koh Sok Hiong

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Koh Sok Hiong
Sibling Not Available
Children 7

Wee Kim Wee Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Wee Kim Wee worth at the age of 89 years old? Wee Kim Wee’s income source is mostly from being a successful Former. He is from Singapore. We have estimated Wee Kim Wee's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Former

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Timeline

1915

Wee Kim Wee (4 November 1915 – 2 May 2005) was a Singaporean journalist and diplomat who served as the fourth president of Singapore between 1985 and 1993.

Born in Singapore on 4 November 1915, Wee Kim Wee was the son of Wee Choong Lay and Chua Hay Luan.

His father Wee Choong Lay was a ship purser but went blind when Wee Kim Wee was six years old.

His mother Chua Hay Luan was the younger sister of Chua Kim Teng, the father of Chua Jim Neo and maternal grandfather of Lee Kuan Yew.

Wee lost his father when he was eight and his mother when he was nineteen.

Wee attended Pearl's Hill School and Outram School before enrolling into Raffles Institution but dropped out at the age of 15.

1916

Wee was survived by his wife of 69 years, Koh Sok Hiong (1916–2018), their son Bill Wee Hock Kee (1936–2015), six daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

1930

In 1930, Wee started out as a clerk working for the newspaper The Straits Times, before becoming a reporter focusing on political issues.

He eventually became one of the paper's main reporters.

1936

He married his wife, Koh Sok Hiong in 1936 when he was a 21 year old reporter.

1941

In 1941, he joined the United Press Associations, and was its chief correspondent in the 1950s.

1959

He returned to The Straits Times in 1959, and was appointed deputy editor in Singapore.

1963

In 1963, he was awarded the Public Service Medal.

1966

In 1966, he interviewed the former Indonesian president Suharto, reporting the latter's intention to end the three-year confrontation with Malaysia (see Konfrontasi).

He broke the news with a front-page headline using Suharto's own words: "Suharto: 'Peace: The sooner the better'".

1973

Prior to his presidency, Wee served as Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia between 1973 and 1980, Ambassador to Japan between 1980 and 1984, and Ambassador to the South Korea between 1981 and 1984 before being elected by the Parliament.

For the ensuing initial presidential election, the first in Singapore to be decided by popular vote, Wee decided not to contest and retired after his second term had ended.

He is also the first president to exercise custodial powers pursuant to the constitutional amendments in the Singapore's history.

In 1973, he was awarded the Public Service Star as the editorial manager of the Straits Times.

Wee left journalism in 1973 to become Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, a position he held for seven years.

1980

He was later appointed Ambassador to Japan in September 1980, and to South Korea in February 1981.

1984

At the end of his diplomatic career in 1984, he was appointed Chairman of the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, the predecessor of the current Mediacorp.

1985

Wee was elected as the president of Singapore by Parliament in 1985 and was ex officio appointed Chancellor of the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University.

Prior to Wee's second term as president, the selection of the presidential candidate was determined solely by the Parliament.

1991

During Wee's second term, the Parliament amended the constitution in 1991, to allow for an elected president, who could veto key political appointments and the use of government reserves.

The creation of an elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in the country's history as under the revision, as the president is empowered to veto government budgets and appointments to public office.

They can examine the government's exercise of its powers under the Internal Security Act and religious harmony laws and investigate cases of corruption.

For the ensuing initial presidential election, the first in Singapore to be decided by popular poll, Wee decided not to enter his candidacy and went into retirement upon the completion of his second and final term.

1993

He was succeeded by Ong Teng Cheong on 1 September 1993.

He was also awarded the Darjah Utama Temasek in 1993.

After leaving office, Wee was appointed as deputy registrar of marriages.

He was later conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the National University of Singapore for his contributions to public service and his contributions to the University of Singapore as its chancellor till 1993.

1999

Wee became the Director of Cathay Organisation Holdings in 1999.

2004

In 2004, Wee published his autobiography, Glimpses and Reflections.

From the royalties and other donations, half a million Singapore dollars were donated to eight charities.

2005

Wee died of prostate cancer in his home at Siglap Plain in Singapore on 2 May 2005, at the age of 89.

Wee died of prostate cancer in his home at Siglap Plain on 2 May 2005 at 5:10am SST at the age of 89.

Before his death, he had asked to be cremated and for the ashes to be placed at Mandai Columbarium with those of ordinary citizens instead of Kranji State Cemetery, where late dignitaries are usually buried.

His state funeral saw a large crowd who attended to pay their last respects at the Istana, where his body was laid in state.

2006

In 2006, Nanyang Technological University renamed its School of Communication Studies after Wee to the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.